Device for the simultaneous coupling and uncoupling of a plurality of fluid pipelines

ABSTRACT

A coupling device for simultaneous coupling or simultaneous uncoupling of a plurality of fluid pipelines at low pressure or high pressure, comprises two blocks connectable with each other and each joined to respective pipelines and having the same number of passages for fluid. Each block has in each passage a spring loaded valve normally in closed position and an external control plate is attachable to one block to depress rods acting on the valves of this block and concurrently the valves pertaining to the other block to open both sets of valves and permit fluid flow in either direction through the passages in the blocks.

United States Patent Decot et al.

[54] DEVICE FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING OF A PLURALITYOF FLUID PIPELINES [72] Inventors: Claude Jean Maurice Decot, Tarbes;Jean Eugene Darmagnac, Juillan, both of France [73] Assignee: EtatFrancais represente par le Ministre dEtat charge de la Defense [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,1 1 2, l 46 3/1938 Di Giovanni..137/6l4 X [151 3,704,989 [4 Dec. 5, 1972 Primary Examinerl-lenry T.Klinksiek Attorney -Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen [57] ABSTRACT Acoupling device'for simultaneous coupling or simultaneous uncoupling ofa plurality of fluid pipelines at low pressure or high pressure,comprises two blocks connectable with each other and each joined torespective pipelines and having the same number of passages for fiuicl.Each block has in each passage a spring loaded valve normally in closedposition and an external control plate is attachable to one block todepress rods acting on the valves of this block and concurrently thevalves pertaining to the other block to open both sets of valves andpermit fluid flow in either direction through the passages in theblocks.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUEC 51922 SHEEI 1 OF 4 FIG./

SHEET 3 OF 4 :"IIA' DEVICE FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS COUPLING AND UNCOUPLINGOF A PLURALITY OF LUID PIPELINES BRIEF SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION Thepresent invention relates to a device for the speedy and simultaneouscoupling of a plurality of pipelines, e.g. low-pressure or high-pressurehydraulic piping, without leakage of liquid and without entrance of air.

Numerous quick-connecting double-acting check valves are known forjoining pipelines without liquid leakage and without entrance of air;because of such valves the pipeline so fitted does not drain afteruncoupling and does not leak after coupling, thus resulting in anappreciable saving of time.

Although the use of such valves improves the service and simplifiesmaintenance of the equipment, there are still several drawbacksincluding the following:

one valve is required for each line to be connected;

the valve has to be manually operable in order to achieve coupling oruncoupling;

at least one of the two lines leading to the valve has to-be yieldablesince their locking or unlocking is accompanied by a relativedisplacement of the two lines of pipe;

For the reasons set forth above, employment of such valves has proven tobe impractical and comparatively high in installation cost.

An object of the invention is to provide a coupling device which avoidsthe above-mentioned drawbacks.

In accordance with the invention, a coupling device is provided whichcomprises first and second blocks connected to respective pipelineswhich are to be selectively joined in communication and unjoined. Eachblock has a flow passage therein communicating with a respectivepipeline, and the blocks can be detachably connected together so that aflow passage in one block is in communication with a flow passage in theother block. Each passage of each block contains a valve means closingits respective passage, and a plate is mountable on one of said blocksfor jointly opening both valve means in associated communicatingpassages of the blocks to provide a flow path from one pipeline toanother.

Each valve means may comprise a flap with spring means acting on theflap to urge the same to closed position. The flaps of the associatedpassages of the blocks are in face-to-face engagement when in closedposition and one of said flaps includes a pushrod which is engaged bysaid plate means to open both flaps simultaneously.

In further accordance with the invention, the blocks can not bedisconnected before the plate is removed in order to insure that thevalves return to their closed positions. This is achieved by coveringthe fasteners attaching the blocks together by the plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of acoupling device in disconnected condition,

FIG. 2 shows the coupling device in connected conditio n,

FIG. 3 is a front view of one of the blocks of the coupling device,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 in FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 and 2 show a coupling device for use in aplant equipped with hydromechanical control memi bers.

In this embodiment, a plurality of hydraulic members T T are connectedinside a detachable header 1, the other hydraulic members T, T beingoutside the header. The coupling device allows speedy, simultaneouscoupling of all the inside lines T T to all the outside lines T T Thecoupling device consists chiefly of twoparallel piped blocks 2 and 3each having as many orifices as there are pipelines to be united. Block2 is fastened to the header 1. Each block contains a spring biassed flap(as will be explained in detail later) for each of its orifices forpreventing any fluid leakage during uncoupling. When the two blocks arecoupled together, a control plate 19 can be fastened to a surface of theblock 3 provided for that purpose, such plate 19 keeping all the flapsof the device in open position thereby allowing the fluid to travel inall pipelines in either direction. When the control plate 19 is removed,all the flaps of the device return to their closed position therebypreventing any flow of the fluid. Only when the control plate is removedcan the two blocks be uncoupled.

Block 2 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a lightweight alloy body 5 inwhich are'seated eight valve flaps 6 and corresponding flap springs 7. II

The flaps 6 have conical portions provided with several holes 6' thereinfor the passage of fluid. A stop plate 8 serves as a bearing surface forthe springs and additionally allows threaded engagement to the pipelinesT T inside the header. Plate 8 is fastened to body 5 by means of screws9, after engagement of the plate on centering studs 10 on body 5. A sealbetween the plate 8 and the body 5 is obtained by packings 25 integralwith the body 5.

A face A of body 5 serves as a bearing surface for block 3 and a seal isprovided between the blocks 2 and 3 at each of the pipelines by eightpackings 11 secured in body 5 by gluing.

Block 3 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 comprises a lightweight alloy body 13 inwhich are seatings of eight valve devices V as well as eight threadedorifices for pipelines T, T

The eight valve devices V each comprises a flap 14 screwed into a pushrod 15, the flap-and-push rod assembly being slidable in a guide 16. Aspring 17 acts against the push rod to urge the flap to its closedposition. The push rod is sealed by a packing 18.

The valve devices V are so fixed that the push rod surface areasubjected to the fluid pressure applied by the associated pipelineorifices is greater than the surface area of the flap subjected to thesame pressure in order to bias the flap to closed position.

The block 3 comprises a plate 19 pressing against the heads of the eightpush rods 15 when the four screws 20, between body 13 and plate 19, aretightened. By tightening or loosening the screws 20 the assemblies ofpush rod 15 and flap 14 serve to close and open the valve devices V.

Face B of body 13 is intended to be placed against the working surface Aof body at the time of connection of the two bodies by tightening thesix screw 21. Two centering studs 22 are force-fitted into body 13 toallow the bodies 13 and S to be located in position without risk oferror on coupling The operation of the device is as follows:

In a Coupled Position, blocks 2 and 3 are assembled and the valves areopen. FlG. 7 shows this configuration.

Therein plate 19 is seen tightly fastened against body 13 by means ofthe screws 20. This causes the push rods to displace into the interiorof the block 13. The flaps l4 and flaps 6 are thereby moved with thepushrods and leave their seatings. Consequently, fluid flow can beestablished in one direction or the other. In FIG. 7 fluid flow is shownby the arrows through the holes 6' in the conical part of flap 6. Thepressure loss is comparatively low in either direction.

In the Coupled Position, in FIG. 8 the valves are closed. Thisconfiguration is obtained by disassembling the four screws'20 andremoving plate-19, which operation can be effected with the hydraulicplant under pressure or not. If pressure is applied to pipeline T thepush rod 15 is urged under the action of both the spring 17 and thefluid pressure in a direction to press flap 14 against its seating.Under the action of spring 7 and the fluid pressure in pipeline T flap 6also comes to rest on its seating. Flow can not be established in thedirection of arrow F lf fluid pressure is applied to pipeline T,, theforce exerted by the fluid pressure on the push rod results in keepingflap 14 shut, the flow therefore not being able to be made in thedirection of arrow F This coupling device can therefore also be used asa shut-off valve, since the fastening or removal of plate 19 results inallowing or blocking the flow in both directions.

FIG. 9 shows the device in Uncoupled Position, blocks 2 and 3 beingseparated and the valves being closed.

Uncoupling is obtained by dismounting the six screws 21, and thenseparating the blocks 2 and 3. The bearing plate 19 covers the heads ofthe screws 21 and permits uncoupling to be effected only if plate 19 hasitself already been removed. For the same reasons as given previously,flaps l4 and 6 are closed, preventing any flow of liquid when pressureis applied to the pipelines T, or T There cannot be any leakage ofliquid therefore upon uncoupling of blocks 2 and 3, even if thehydraulic plant is under pressure.

When the device is uncoupled guard plates 23 and 24 are placed on blocks5 and 13 as shown in FIG. 9 to prevent the incursion of spray on theflap faces or damage through impact on the working faces A and B.

The present invention is used on plants equipped with hydromechanicaldrives and it can be employed in all cases where quick and frequentcoupling or uncoupling of multiple pipelines are requiredwithout loss ofliquid. I

In particular, the coupling device facilitates periodic upkeep andservicing of all 'hydromechanical controlled plants and also ofequipment using liquid or gaseous chemicals which would be dangerous ortroublesome if spilled during .uncouplings of pipelines.

What is claimed is:

1. A coupling device comprising first and second blocks connected torespective pipelines which are to be selectively joined in communicationand unjoined, each block having a flow passage therein communicatingwith a respective pipeline, a first valve in each passage of said firstblock which is movable inwardly into said first block to open therespective flow, passage, a second valve in each passage of said secondblock which is movable outwardly from the second block to open therespective flow passage, a pushrod coupled to each second valve andtraversing said second block to project beyond an outer face of thesecond block, means for connecting said blocks together such that thevalves in one block are in face-to-face registry with correspondingvalves in the other block and'a plate attachable to said outer face ofthe second block to operate the pushrods of the second valvessimultaneously and cause the second valves to move outwardly of thesecond block and move into the first block to depress the first valvesinwardly in the first block and open said first valves whereby the flowpassages in the two blocks are in respective communication with oneanother.

2. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pushrod has asurface area exposed to pressure in the corresponding flow passagegreater than the surface area of the associated valve to bias the valveunder hydraulic pressure in said passage to closed position.

3. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1 comprising seal means in oneof said blocks around each passage therein for sealing said blocks whenthey are connected together. i

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a guide in each passage insaid second block defining a chamber for said pushrod, said pushrodhaving a shoulder forming .a tight piston sliding in said chamber and aspring mounted in said chamber between the shoulder and said guideurging the pushrod in a direction to open the corresponding secondvalve.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means which connects theblocks together comprises fasteners which are covered by said plate andrendered inaccessible thereby.

6. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1 comprising guard platesattachable to said blocks when the latter are disconnected to protectthe connectable surfaces thereof and the valves in said passages.

7. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1 comprising guide meansbetween said blocks for positioning the same for connection so that therespective passages thereof are aligned.

1. A coupling device comprising first and second blocks connected torespective pipelines which are to be selectively joined in communicationand unjoined, each block having a flow passage therein communicatingwith a respective pipeline, a first valve in each passage of said firstblock which is movable inwardly into said first block to open therespective flow passage, a second valve in each passage of said secondblock which is movable outwardly from the second block to open therespective flow passage, a pushrod coupled to each second valve andtraversing said second block to project beyond an outeR face of thesecond block, means for connecting said blocks together such that thevalves in one block are in face-to-face registry with correspondingvalves in the other block and a plate attachable to said outer face ofthe second block to operate the pushrods of the second valvessimultaneously and cause the second valves to move outwardly of thesecond block and move into the first block to depress the first valvesinwardly in the first block and open said first valves whereby the flowpassages in the two blocks are in respective communication with oneanother.
 2. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pushrodhas a surface area exposed to pressure in the corresponding flow passagegreater than the surface area of the associated valve to bias the valveunder hydraulic pressure in said passage to closed position.
 3. Acoupling device as claimed in claim 1 comprising seal means in one ofsaid blocks around each passage therein for sealing said blocks whenthey are connected together.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 1comprising a guide in each passage in said second block defining achamber for said pushrod, said pushrod having a shoulder forming a tightpiston sliding in said chamber and a spring mounted in said chamberbetween the shoulder and said guide urging the pushrod in a direction toopen the corresponding second valve.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 1wherein said means which connects the blocks together comprisesfasteners which are covered by said plate and rendered inaccessiblethereby.
 6. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1 comprising guardplates attachable to said blocks when the latter are disconnected toprotect the connectable surfaces thereof and the valves in saidpassages.
 7. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1 comprising guidemeans between said blocks for positioning the same for connection sothat the respective passages thereof are aligned.